CLASS Alumni Connection
CLASS Alumni recognized in University’s 40 under 40
Georgia Southern University recently announced the 2014 “40 Under 40.” An annual tradition, this list comprises of 40 alumni that are leading the way in business, leadership, community, and educational and/or philanthropic endeavors.
The 40 alumni honored are chosen by a selection committee based on their professional expertise and achievements, as well as dedication to charitable and community initiatives. Criteria also requires that honorees aspire to uphold the core values of Georgia Southern University including integrity, civility, kindness, collaboration, and a commitment to lifelong learning, wellness, and social responsibility.
Of the 2014 honorees, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) would like to recognize the 16 alumni who graduated from programs housed in CLASS. Alumni who were honored include: Lindsey Blom, BS Psychology (’99); CAPT Phillip Boldt, BA History (’04); Jordan Chester, BA Political Science (’08); Amy Dietrich, BS Public Relations (’11); Lea Anne Foster, BA Communication Arts, English (’96); Shannon Halstead, BS Justice Studies (’98); James Kicklighter, BS Public Relations (’10); CAPT John Kile, BS Justice Studies (’10); Jason Lawrence, BS Justice Studies (’06) and MPA (’07); Teresa MacCartney, MPA (’01); Kameelah Martin, BA English (’00); Bob Mikell, BA History (’07); Nick Pearson, BS Political Science (’10); Matt Ramsey, BS Political Science (’98); Blain Rhodes, BS General Studies (’10); and Liz Longshore Stephens, BS Public Relations (’99).
CLASS Advisement Center Coordinator Jenn Glenn explained that these alumni are role models for current CLASS students.
“Often times students earning a liberal arts degree will get asked, ‘what are you going to do with your degree?,'” Glenn said. “The CLASS alumni honored in Georgia Southern’s 40 under 40 are excellent examples of the success students can have with hard work, determination, and a CLASS degree.”
To see the “40 Under 40” list in its entirety and to learn what positions the honorees currently hold, visit Georgia Southern University Alumni Association’s webpage.
Curley to teach FYE course
Christy Curley, advisor for english, philosophy, and writing and linguistics was selected to teach the extended orientation for a Fall First Year Experience course.
The First-Year Seminar is Georgia Southern’s most intentional initiative to introduce students to college-level learning and help them make a successful transition to the university. All new students classified as freshmen are required to take the course in their first semester.
Meet New PR Advisor Kinsley Baker
Kinsley Baker and daughter Lilly Collins Baker
Public relations majors will see a new face when they return in the fall. Kinsley Baker, a 2014 alumna of Georgia Southern University, joined the CLASS Advisement team earlier this month.
This is not, however, her first experience with advising. During the Spring 2014 semester, Kinsley served as an intern in the CLASS Advisement Center to complete her M.Ed in counseling education at the University. During her internship, Kinsley advised general studies (BGS) students as well as coordinated the first-ever General Studies Week to inform and educate the student population of the benefits of the BGS program.
Kinsley also holds a bachelor of science in psychology from Georgia Southern, and has worked with other University departments including Career Services and parent programs in the Admissions Office. Kinsley is excited to serve as the new public relations advisor, explaining that she has always wanted to work with college students.
“I decided to pursue my Master’s in counseling with an emphasis in student affairs because I enjoy helping students find their purpose, both personally and professionally,” Kinsley said.
A native of Statesboro, Kinsley says she has always been a Georgia Southern Eagle. “Georgia Southern has been my home for the past six years. I have seen the campus and student body grow and change in ways that some thought was never possible,” she said. “The love and pride that students have for this University is inspiring, and I know that I will see that in the students I advise.”
Kinsley is married to alumnus Dan Baker. Together they have a three-month-old daughter named Lilly Collins. Kinsley says that when she is not working, she spends every moment with her family.
Students can find Kinsley in the newly renovated Sanford Hall, Room 3001-B.
Cave-exploring alumnus to speak on liberal arts education
J. Judson “Jut” Wynne, who earned a B.S. in communications and minor in anthropology from Georgia Southern in 1993, returns to the University on Tuesday, March 4, as the third CLASS Alumni Connection Series speaker.
Wynne, who recently completed his Ph.D. in biological sciences at Northern Arizona University, is a conservation biologist, explorer, and professional speaker. He works as a research ecologist with the Colorado Plateau Biodiversity Center and an associate curator of the Colorado Plateau Museum of Arthropod Biodiversity. He has conducted cave studies in Belize, Chile, Easter Island, Hawaii, and throughout the American Southwest, and his research has been featured by NASA TV, the Discovery Channel, USA Today, and El Mercurio de Santiago.
Wynne and his colleagues have identified three new genera and nearly 30 new species of cave-dwelling invertebrates in the Southwest, 10 new species of insects in the caves of Easter Island, a new species of algae in the Atacama Desert of Chile, and among the first cave-like structures on Mars. He even has a cave-dwelling beetle as his namesake: Eleodes (Caverneleodes) wynnei.
While on campus, he will visit classes and speak about how his communications and anthropology degrees have helped him in
conservation biology.
“I’m honored that Georgia Southern found my work worthy of showcasing during their alumni lecture series,” Wynne says. “I’m really looking forward to this wonderful opportunity to interact with students and faculty at Georgia Southern.”
When not conducting research, he is an athlete, yogi, and musician. He trains in trail running, mountain and road biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoe running, kayaking and surfing. He also competes in various summer and winter races, including the Imogene Pass Run and the Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon.
Wynne’s lecture, “The Mysteries of Easter Island Caves,” provides an overview of the natural history and ancient human settlement and discuss new species discoveries and archaeological findings from caves on the most remote inhabited island on earth. His lecture is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, in the Williams Center Multipurpose Room and is free and open to the public. For more information on the lecture, visit class.GeorgiaSouthern.edu, and for more information on Wynne, visit jutwynne.com.
Advisement Center Hours
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.